Canada continues to be one of the most sought-after study-abroad destinations for Indian students, but the cost of studying there in 2026 is rising significantly, prompting many applicants and families to rethink budgeting and financial planning.
According to recent data by Edu Canada, the official education platform of the Canadian government, annual tuition fees for international students, including those from India, remain substantially higher than for domestic students, with undergraduate programmes averaging about CAD 36,100 per year and postgraduate courses around CAD 21,100 per year.
How costly will Canadian education be for Indian students?
For Indian students, this translates to roughly ₹23–24 lakh per year for a bachelor’s degree and ₹13–14 lakh per year for a master’s programme, depending on the exchange rate and the specific field of study.
Professional courses such as medicine, engineering and MBA programmes tend to cost even more than arts or humanities streams.
What about living expenses?
Rental costs in Canada vary widely by city and significantly affect the overall cost of living for students and residents. Vancouver consistently ranks as the most expensive city, with average rents for one and two-bedroom apartments among the highest in the country, often above CAD 2,800–3,000 per month for larger units.
Toronto, Canada’s largest city, follows closely with one-bedroom rents typically around CAD 2,500-2,600 and two-bedroom units above CAD 2,600-3,300.
In contrast, cities like Montreal offer more affordable rental options, with average one-bedroom rents closer to CAD 1,500-1,800 and two-bedrooms under CAD 2,300, making it a relatively budget-friendly option among major metros, according to CIC News.
Under Canadian immigration rules, students applying for a study permit must show proof of sufficient funds to cover both tuition and living expenses for at least one year before the visa is approved, making financial planning essential well in advance of enrolment.
Rising housing shortages and increased living costs mean that students and their sponsors should conservatively estimate their budgets to avoid financial stress once in Canada, reports claimed.